My how quickly can our good intentions and goals get overshadowed by the reality of old ways. Where we have vowed to give up sugar, we have nibbled with delight on something brown. With fierce determination where we have committed to have more self control, that impatient tone of voice returns.

Don’t despair, Mom. God is in control even 48 hours into the New Year.

Keep praying. Keep your goals ahead of you. Keep God in front and He will lead you to the places He wants you to be. To the habits He wants you to have. To the tasks He wants you to take on.

He can give you discipline.

He can give you self control.

He can give you patience.

All your wants and good intentions are still real and He will equip you to accomplish them. Or, He’ll turn you around and show you what He wants to accomplish through you.

He will strengthen you.

And He will carry you when you fall.

There is still a next time. New Year or Not.

His grace is sufficient in your failings and mistakes because of His love for you.

So if you eat the brownie or lose patience with your children, stop and pray for what you need in that moment and in the ones to come. By turning to Him, you can approach your goals, intentions and future opportunities with a fresh start and the right perspective.

His.

No matter how many hours into 2014 you are, turning to Him for strength and for your plans is the right direction to move. He’s got the plate–crumbs and all, and He’s got you.

Scripture References

“Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

“Commit your work to the Lord and your plans will be established.” (Proverbs 16:13)

“I will strengthen you and help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10

Orderliness and calm….a necessary Saturday catch-up goal but often not attainable in our busy lives. Activities and errands beckon us and keep us moving. Shabbat Shalom to all you moms…enjoy your “day of rest” rest no matter how that shapes up. May you grab some moments to catch your breath and perhaps slow down a bit at some point today. God always has something to reveal to us and it’s usually in those moments of rest when we can hear what He might be showing us and what He wants us to remember. When we focus on Him, we aren’t focusing on ourselves and oh that can be a rest while bringing everything else into its proper perspective. When our hearts are turned toward God, we are able to have a better perspective on all that calls us and those very things that cause us anxiety and stress. A proper rest allows us to focus on the One who is calling us to place our trust in His arms where we can find true peace, purpose, perspective and calm.

May what you are trying to accomplish as a mom be accomplished one step at a time, bit by little bit. Teaching, instructing, leading and guiding as a mother is a process that we take on without having had preparation or very little at best. We lead our children as well as we can while we are being led. We arrive on the scene green and get practiced quickly till we feel blue in the face, or red, purple, just name your color. At times, these teaching moments for us and our children take place while rocking in a glider, standing over the changing table or potty, while pushing a shopping cart at the store, driving in the car to and from activities, on the mattress’ edge, dialoguing before bedtime, or during a zillion other moments when we are mothering. Sometimes during the mundane moments, other times when we